Galashiels Academy pupils are great sports

John Collins, assistant manager with Scottish champions Celtic, Chris Paterson, Scottish rugby’s record points and cap holder, and Gregor Townsend, now coach at Glasgow Warriors, are among some of the most notable former pupils at the secondary school.

But now a new generation of sports stars are following in their footsteps.

On Thursday, the Academy held its annual Sports and Arts Awards ceremony to recognise their achievements.

Among the pupils receiving certificates on the night were past pupils Ruairi Howarth and Gary Robertson who were called up to the Scotland Under 18 squad earlier this year.

They were presented by former pupil Lisa Robertson - Gary’s sister - who kicked off her own rugby career at the school and has gone on to score five caps for Scotland Women’s team.

Speaking to the Border Telegraph, Lisa, who has also been called up to the Scotland squad to face Italy in a friendly this weekend, said: “I loved sport at the Academy. My two PE teachers pushed me so much, they were just the best - I loved sport because of them.” But she joked: “It was crazy being ask to present an award, and when Gary came up they were winding me up to kiss my brother.” Lisa’s older brother Craig Robertson, another former pupil, has also represented Scotland at U16, U17 and Club international level.

When asked what the secret to the Academy’s success is, Ruairi, who has since signed a professional contract with Edinburgh Rugby, said: “It’s a mindset. We know sport is something we’ve always excelled in, so it’s something people really focus on and take a lot of pride in.

“And it’s good to have awards like this to recognise these achievements.” One of the main prize winners on the night was Depute Head Boy Neil Turnbull who was presented with the Jim Shearer Memorial Trophy for helping out in the PE department over the last five years - including coaching younger pupils.

The prize was introduced six years ago in memory of the school’s former Head of PE.

Neil, who plays rugby for Gala Wanderers and picked up another certificate for representing his District in the U18 age group, revealed he hopes to go on to pursue a career in sport.

“I enjoy PE and all the sports that we do,” he explained. “I used to help coach with the S2 age group. I’m studying Higher PE and I’d like to pursue a career in the sport industry.” When asked how this trophy compared to anything he has won in the past, Neil said: “I’ve never really won anything like this before, apart from a Players’ Player of the Year award last season.” But he added: “To be chosen by your teachers is quite special and shows that they think highly of you.” The evening began with a musical item by S5 pupil Robin Flockhart, who was introduced by Head Girl Kristin Boland, following a welcome by Head Boy Robbie Czajka.

Congratulating all the pupils on their achievements, Depute Head Teacher Iain Anderson said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to formally celebrate the abundance of talent that exists within the Academy. The evening reflects on past achievements but also looks to the future and we are proud of the successes of all our young people.

“This is a celebration of all of their creative and sporting achievements, great or small, both on the sports field and stage, it is these achievements that make Galashiels Academy such a special school, a school we can all be proud of.

“We are fortunate to be at a school with such great history and tradition in its cultural and sporting programme.” As well as rugby and football, the school has also produced internationalists in a range of other sports, including hockey and athletics.

And, last year, former Academy pupil Ryan Mania became the first Scot in 117 years to win the Grand National - the most famous horse race in the world.

Mr Anderson continued: “Physical activity is vital to the development of young people, fostering their physical, social and emotional health. The educational benefits of sport should not be under-estimated.

“Through participation in sport and physical education, young people learn about the importance of key values such as honesty, teamwork, fair play and respect for themselves and others.

“It enables young people to learn how to deal with competition and how to cope with both winning and losing. Sport has been shown to improve the learning performance of children and young people, encouraging school attendance and a desire to succed academically.” And he added: “The arts are also fun. They give students a reason to look forward and be excited about coming to school.” The full list of prize winners were as follows: Music - School Choir: Alannah Fox, Sarahn Glenfield, Lara Gueldner, Rebecca Martin, Rachel Noble, Dylan Paterson, Grace Wilson, Sophie Wilson, Meghan Young.

School Guitar Group: Joris Caldow, Thomas Caldow Mhairi Eades, Robyn Flockhart, Sarah Glenfield, Cecilia Hong, Struan Howlieson, Harry Lennox, Fraser McDonald, Lawson Marr, Chloe Muir, Peter Noble, Thomas Otton, Caragh Philip, Kyle Purves, Nick Smith, Matthew Tyszko, Joe Wilson.

Borders Wind and Chamber Orchestra: Anna Comrie, Mairi Eades, Robyn Flockhart, Cecilia Hong, Rebecca Martin, Rachel Noble, Caragh Philip, Nicholas Smith, Joe Wilson, Sophie Wilson.

Borders Youth Orchestra: Rachel Noble, Anna Houston.

Borders Junior Wind Band: Erin Smith.

Hockey - Borders Hockey U13 Development Squad: Meghan Campbell, Jade Carroll, Sophie Laurie, Beth Logan, Hannah McNair, Hannah Miller, Holly Shepherd, Molly Turnbull.

Borders Hockey U14 Development Squad: Emily Ballantyne, Ria Gallagher, Katie Johnstone, Ainsley Simpson, Danielle Walker.

Borders Hockey U15 Development Squad: Alex Bell, Julia Corcoran, Courtney Fox, Amy Simpson, Lauren Taylor.

South Hockey U16 Trials: Alex Bell, Julia Corcoran, Rhona Gowans, Amy Simpson, Emma Spence, Gemma Stoddart. South Hockey U16 Squad: Rhona Gowans.

Rugby - S1 Rugby South Schools 7s Winners: Alex Caldow, Josh Dougall, Angus Dun, Cameron Finlayson, Fergus Johnston, Daniel Kerr, Max Logan, Logan Marr, Glenn McCrum, Justin Murray, Todd Philip, Kerr Smith.

U14 Rugby District: Greg Allan, Jack Easson, Greg Faris, Nicky Molfino, Kyle Scott, Greg Stewart, Rory Shepherd, Jack Williamson.

U15 Rugby District: Jamie Allan, Joris Caldow, Alistair Crooks, Robbie Irvine, Lawson Marr, Steven Paterson, John Turnbull, Matthew Tyzsko.

U16 Rugby District: Tom Smith, Aidan Turner.

U17 Rugby District: Mark Amos, Neil Turnbull.

U18 Rugby District: Neil Turnbull.

Scottish U18 Rugby: Ruairi Howarth, Gary Robertson.

Gala Girls Rugby: Courtney Fox, Katie Horsburgh, Ellie Stenhouse, Gemma Stoddart, Meghan Young, Rebecca Young.

Athletics - S1 Boys, Border Schools Gold Medal Winners, 300m: Charlie Green. Relay: Patrick Carlin, Josh Dougall, Charlie Green, Fergus Johnston. 100m: Patrick Carlin.

S1 Girls, Border Schools Gold Medal Winner, discus: Rhiannon Gerrard.

S2 Boys, Border Schools Gold Medal Winner, 100m, 200m and high jump: Cameron Caldwell. 800m: Matt Dougall.

S2 Girls, Border Schools Gold Medal Winner, shot: Alex Bell.

S3 Boys, Border Schools Gold Medal Winner, high jump: Robbie Irvine.

Senior Boys, Border Schools Gold Medal Winners, discus: Ben Hodges. High jump: Jamie Shiel. Shot: Gary Robertson.

New records - S1 Boys Long Jump, Josh Dougall; S1 Girls 300m, Caris Brus; S1 Girls 1500m, Beth Johnston; S1 Girls Discus, Rhiannon Gerrard.

S2 Boys 100m, High Jump, Long Jump, Cameron Caldwell. S2 Girls 1500m, 300m, Julia Corcoran; S2 Girls High Jump, Erin Turnbull; S2 Girls Javelin, Jean Nichol.

S3 Boys High Jump, Ellis Hall. S3 Girls 100m, 200m, 300m, 800m, Rhona Gowans; S3 Girls Discus, Meredith Moffat.

Senior Boys 100m, Michael Hutchison.

School Sports Day Winners: Eildon, represented by Euan Graham and Iona Cruikshank.

Jim Shearer Memorial Trophy: Neil Turnbull.

LEAD 2014: Hanna Aziz, Coll Drury, Robbie Irvine, Steven Patterson, Finlay Watt, Eilidh Currie, Melissa Gordon, Rebecca Martin, Lauren Thompson.

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